by Tarah Scott
Josephine felt as if all the air had been sucked out of her lungs. Breathe, she couldn’t breathe. The Bull wasn’t the Times, but that wouldn’t stop people from believing the story.
“Is something wrong?” a familiar male voice said.
Jo snapped her head in Nicholas’ direction. Ladies Evers whirled. Miss Henley, Jo realized, had melted into the crowd.
Lady Evers looked as if she might bolt.
“Lady Evers has accused you of murder, my lord.”
Nicholas lifted a brow. “Surely, there is some mistake, Lady Evers? I cannot believe you would make that kind of mistake.” His voice was low, but the menace was unmistakable.
“Oh, but she has,” Jo pressed, her fury amplified by terror. “She has read some drivel in the John Bull written by a solicitor, who did you say, Lady Evers—” Josephine’s mind raced “—James Stuart?” She looked at Nick. “I have not heard of him, my lord, have you? He was supposedly Lord Wylst’s solicitor.”
“I can’t say that I have heard of him,” Nick replied.
“Then he cannot be anyone of consequence,” Josephine said. “Yet, Lady Evers puts the greatest stock in his word, and she is impressed by the fact that some letter Lord Wylst wrote has been printed in the Bull. Can you imagine?”
“No,” he said. “I cannot. I wonder that Harris lets you read that paper.”
“My husband does not censor what I read,” she snapped.
“Perhaps he should,” Nicholas said “Particularly since he might find himself defending what you repeat.”
Her face paled.
“But I feel certain we can avoid that—so long as you are careful not to repeat any more dangerous gossip,” Nicholas said.
Anger flashed in her eyes, but she nodded and said through tight lips, “Of course, Lord Grayson. Please forgive me.”
He canted his head in acknowledgement and she hurried away.
Josephine felt as if she would collapse.
“Courage, Jo,” Nicholas said. “If you swoon now that will only feed the gossip.”
“Oh, Nick, the worst has happened. Lord Wylst has exposed me.”
“That is far from the worst that could have happened, Josephine.”
She startled and swung her gaze to his face.
“The worst that could have happened is that you could have disappeared from my life in that damn convent.”
Josephine was sure she would cry.
“Lady Josephine, if you cry, I swear, I will toss this champagne aside, take you over my knee, and paddle your pretty bottom right here in this ballroom.”
She blinked, and a sliver of the feminine anger she’d felt when he first returned was resurrected. “That is an outrageous threat, even for you, Nick.”
“I do not make idle threats, as you know. And don’t think for an instant you are not going to marry me,” he went on as if they were discussing the weather.
Josephine shifted her gaze to the crowd beyond them in search of Lady Evers. Who was the despicable creature telling her story to at this very moment? Jo shook her head. “This is only the beginning. I cannot marry you. Surely, you can see that. You will be ostracized from Society if you marry me.”
“I could care less what Society thinks. We would not be the first couple to marry under the cloud of scandal.”
“Not this sort of scandal.”
He grunted a laugh. “You forget Lord Philips, who married his mistress, a lady who happened to be an actress.”
“That is nothing compared to marrying a bastard.”
“Do not use that word,” he said sharply. “Remember, Jo, no one is alive who can verify Wylst’s story. Therefore, it is nothing more than an annoyance. Now, have some champagne.” He thrust a glass into her hand. “Then we will dance.”
Chapter Fifteen
Josephine entered the small parlor reserved for the family. Morning sunlight streamed through the window, but her spirits didn’t raise as they usually did when entering the cheery room. She crossed to the window and stared out at the garden. Sight of the roses alone usually brought her joy, but she could think of nothing but getting a copy of the Bull and reading the letter Lord Wylst had made public. She’d slept little, her mind turning over and over the possibilities.
She and Nicholas had danced last night until the wee hours of the morning. No one else had approached them as Lady Evers had, but Jo hadn’t missed the furtive glances and whispers that stopped when she drew near. Lady Evers had spread her poison. Josephine prayed Nicholas had been bluffing with the threat of forcing Lady Evers’ husband to answer to her accusations, but Jo hadn’t known Nicholas to make an idle threat—including the one she knew still hung in the air between him and Lord Beaumond.
The marquess hadn’t been heard from since he left Lady Allaway’s party, and she prayed the man had returned to England or, better yet, had fled to France as he had after ruining Nicholas’ sister. Jo felt on the edge of tears again. She had made a mess of everything. Nick was determined to marry her, despite the fact that everyone now knew the truth. If he one day regretted that decision—her chest tightened. She couldn’t bear that...nor could she bear to live without him.
Josephine turned away from the window and walked to the couch. She stopped at sight of an oblong velvet jewelry box sitting on the cushion. She sat down beside the box, then picked it up and lifted the lid. Jo gasped. A single strand of pearls lay across the cloth. The pearls her father had given her. But how?
A shadow in the corner of her eye caught her attention and she looked up to see Nicholas in the doorway, leaning, one shoulder against the jamb.
Silent tears began to spill down her cheeks.
“I believe I told you, Lady Josephine, that if you cried, I would take you over my knee.”
“Did you do this?” she asked in a whisper.
His gaze remained fixed on her face. “Aye.”
She leapt to her feet, heedless of the pearls on her lap. They hit the coffee table with a clatter, skidded across the top, and dropped off the edge as Josephine rounded the table. She flew across the room toward Nicholas. He straightened from the doorjamb and took two steps into the room just as she flung herself into his arms.
Josephine buried her face in his chest. “How-how did you find them?”
“Finding the pawn shop was much easier than finding the solicitor Wylst sent that damn letter to. Did you know there are far more solicitors in Inverness than there are pawnbrokers? A staggering thought.”
Josephine shook her head, unable to halt the tears. “Nicholas, you—”
Strong fingers grasped her chin and tilted her face upwards. “No more tears, Jo.”
“But you cannot—”
“The Earl of Grayson can do anything he pleases,” he cut in. “Especially marry the woman he loves. The only woman he ever loved.”
She shook her head, tears blinding her. “Everyone knows that I—” Her voice broke.
“That you are the Marquess of Montagu’s daughter.”
“Annabel must carry on my father’s title,” Jo said through a hiccupped sob.
“Annabel will likely be carrying on a title of her own,” Nicholas said.
Josephine shook her head in confusion.
“The Marquess of Northington has offered for her.”
“Offered for her?” Jo blurted. “Once he learns the truth about me—”
“The truth—” Nicholas cut in, “is that Wylst tried blackmailing you with a falsehood, and when you refused to pay him and told your father, he went mad. A fact your father has already informed him of.”
“What? I don’t understand.”
“Your father is no fool, Jo. He and Annabel met the matter head on.”
“They did?”
“Of course we did.”
Josephine started at the sound of her sister’s voice, and Nicholas turned slightly so that she could see her sister and father in the hallway. Jo started to pull away from Nicholas, but he held her tight.
“Yo
u will forgive me, Montagu, but I am not quite finished with your daughter.” Nick started to close the door, then paused when Dobbs, the butlers appeared at her father’s side.
“Henry Maxwell and another gentleman are here to see Lady Josephine and Lord Grayson,” he said.
“That would be Reverend Williams,” Nicholas said. “Tell him we will be down presently.” Nicholas nodded to her father, and said, “Montagu,” then closed the door.
“Nicholas,” Josephine cried. “You can’t close the door in my father’s face.”
“I can.” He drew her close.
She glanced at the door. “What is Reverend Williams doing here?”
“In a minute, Jo.” He cupped her neck and held her firm as his mouth covered hers.
The kiss was gentle, sweet, yet her stomach flipped, and she feared her knees would buckle.
He breathed deep, then ended the kiss and looked down at her. “We had better hurry.”
Her heart raced. “Nick, the reverend, we cannot—”
“Don’t force me to lay you down on that couch and make love to you, Jo.”
She blinked. “What?”
“Your father might allow me a kiss, but he is liable to take exception to me bedding his daughter while he and the rest of your family wait with the minister who is to marry us.”
“Nicholas, you wouldn’t.”
“Aye, love, I would.” His eyes gleamed. “And with relish.” He drew her against his side and opened the door. “Your father tells me you have not seen Cecily since her son was born. I think a long honeymoon at Whitehall is just the things for us. You can visit her.” Nicholas looked down at her as they passed through the doorway. “Once we decide to leave my bedchambers.”
###
Also by Tarah Scott
The Marriage Maker Series
Worth of a Lady
No one guessed that an innocent would bring the Devil of Delny to his knees…
Spinster Chastity Hamilton is the Duke of Roxburgh’s heir. Her father insists she marry. She insists that the man who wins her hand must first find matches for her three younger sisters. Sir Stirling James takes up the challenge, and the sisters are shocked when he announces the engagement of their youngest sister to the Devil of Delny.
When Quin Ramsey’s surrogate brother Sir Stirling James informs him he is to wed the fourth daughter of a lesser duke, he refuses. But when he waltzes with the lovely innocent, he realizes that he wants no other man to waltz with her
The Marriage Wager
He lost at cards, but won at love…
Buccaneer Frasier Gordon is lucky at cards, and keeps a woman in every port. The stakes in a card game turn high, when his old friend Sir Stirling James wagers the hand of a dukes’ daughter against the fastest frigate in Scotland.
Who knew the turn of one card would change his fortune forever?
A Lady by Chance
He bargained for a lady, but the hoyden stole his heart…
Signing a wedding contract for the third daughter of a duke sight unseen is the first impulsive thing by-the-book Navy Lieutenant Patrick Chalmers has ever done. When he arrives on his wedding day to claim his bride, he never dreams the beautiful woman walking down the aisle is the spitfire he saved from falling out of a tree.
How to Catch an Heiress
It takes cunning to catch an heiress…and a handsome face doesn’t hurt
Tomorrow is Sir Stirling James’ wedding day. Stirling matched the Duke of Roxburgh’s three younger daughters with reputable men. His reward is the duke’s eldest daughter, Lady Chastity, the future duchess of Roxburgh. Now, if he can only get the lady down the aisle and into his bed.
When Lady Chastity bargained with her father to marry the man who could match her sisters with suitable husbands in one month’s time, she didn’t believe such a man existed. But tomorrow, she is to wed the marriage maker.
Lions of the Black Isle
The Stolen Bride
Four brothers determined to restore their family’s glory… Four women destined to tame the Lions of the Black Isle… Four brand-new Highland tales from USA Today and bestselling authors Sue-Ellen Welfonder and Tarah Scott.
When the eldest Lion of the Black Isle, is jilted he takes drastic measures to turn his fortunes, and discovers that only true love can really save a man.
The Convenient Bride
He is forced to marry for money, but won’t give up love. Even an impoverished Lion of the Black Isle can charm a wife into falling in love with him.
The Forbidden Bride
How can a Lion of the Black Isle choose between duty and love? Duty will save his family…love will save his soul.
The Wicked Bride
A young rogue discovers that the girl he watched grow up has become a woman, one able to tame a Lion of the Black Isle.
Edge of Yesterday
Book One of Edge series
Two of Scottish romance’s most loved authors have joined pens to write a thrilling new time travel series filled with passion, danger, and intrigue. These never-before-published novels will sweep you to Scotland’s Highland Heatheredge, where magic is real, time is relevant, and there is no escape from desire…
Men are disappearing in the Highland crofting village of Heatheredge. The authorities suspect foul play, but without signs of violence—or bodies—they can’t prove a thing.
World champion swordsman Cailean Ross is living the fantasy of a lifetime as the victor of Heatheredge’s medieval reenactment Gathering. But when the fantasy turns into reality, swordplay becomes a fight to the death and he finds himself among the ‘missing’ statistics.
Julianna Mackay flees a man she fears is an evil wizard and literally runs into handsome Cailean Ross. Cailean defends Lady Julianna from her attackers. Together, they set out in search of the key to a six-hundred-year-old curse that can only be broken in medieval Scotland.
When the veil of time is lifted, Cailean and Julianna find that love may not be enough to save them or those they hold dear.
Claimed
Sometimes, the hero must be the villain...
Fourteen months ago, Lady Rhoslyn lost her husband and infant son to a fever. Now, by order of King Edward I, she is yanked from the healing tranquility of a convent to marry the king’s favored bastard knight. Rhoslyn has no intention of returning to the home where her husband and child died. Neither does she intend to hand over her fortune to the ‘Dragon’—no matter his sweet promises and warm kisses.
Talbot St. Claire tires of war. Seventeen years is enough. King Edward will never release him from service, but the king promises Talbot will find some peace in front of his own hearth. Talbot expects to find a horse-faced, hostile woman in the Scottish heiress Edward commands him to marry. Instead, he discovers a fiery Highland beauty worthy of a man’s respect...and love. Talbot determines to do anything to win his new bride’s acceptance. Anything except the one thing she demands: betray his king and embrace his Scottish heritage.
To Tame a Highland Earl
A man torn between two worlds. Both need him… neither wants him.
Groomed for a life amongst the English aristocracy, Lord Erroll Rushton is unexpectedly thrust back into his father’s Scottish world when the Englishwoman he compromises refuses to marry him.
No gentleman breaks into a lady’s bedchamber...but then, no lady sleeps with a pistol under her pillow. Miss Eve Crenshaw will marry for love or won’t marry at all. When London’s most notorious rakehell breaks into Eve’s bedroom in the dead of night and compromises her beyond repair, she plans a daring elopement that shocks even the earl.
My Highland Love
Voted Indie Romance Convention Readers Choice Award's best historical romance of 2013
How does a woman tell her betrothed that she murdered her first husband?
Shipwrecked in the Scottish Highlands, American heiress Elise Kingston quietly plans revenge for the deaths of her daughter and the brother who sacrificed his life to save her.
When Marcus MacGregor, Marquess of Ashlund, returns to his Highland home to discover a stunning American woman has been taken in by his clan, his attraction is instant and he resolves to make her his—no matter what secret she's keeping.
Elise is shocked by her need for Marcus and, too late, discovers that her feelings make him a target of her enemy—a man powerful enough to destroy even a Scottish nobleman.
My Highland Lord
London Heiress kidnapped by the Marquess of Ashlund, read the headlines. Yet no one tried to save her.
Phoebe Wallington was seven years old when a mass assassination attempt rocked Regency England. Her father was the only accused traitor to elude capture. Seventeen years later, the one man who could prove her father's innocence is dead. Now as a grown woman and a British spy, she's no closer to learning what really happened that day.
Phoebe's quest for the truth takes a sudden turn when she's kidnapped by a suspected traitor. But Kiernan MacGregor, the Marquess of Ashlund, may not live long enough to stand trial. Someone wants him dead…and Phoebe stands in the killer's way. The only way to save her reputation and protect Kiernan is to marry him.
Lord Keeper
No man bargains for war when he chooses a bride, but when he steals her from holy ground, he can expect nothing less.
A midnight race for freedom leads Victoria Hockley, the Countess of Lansbury, to a churchyard deep in the Scottish Highlands. But not even hallowed ground can save her from the devil who’s pursued her from England, or from the furious Scot who swears to protect her.
Iain MacPherson swore he was nothing like his father, but his kidnapping of Victoria Hockley shows the same kind of obsessive jealousy that sent his mother to an early grave. Now Iain has hell to pay, and the devil may very well be the noble English lass who has bewitched his very soul…